There are various types of vehicles that workers will come into contact with during their job tasks in industrial workplaces. Vehicles such as trucks of all kinds, aerial lifts, telescopic elevating devices, forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers and tow/pallet walkies can be found in industrial workplaces and all of these vehicles pose risk of injury to workers if safe practices/safe operation is not being enforced.
Incidents involving the above industrial equipment have resulted in worker injuries, worker deaths and accidents.
Under the Occupational and Safety Act, employers, supervisors and workers have duties to ensure worker safety.
According to the OHSA and the Ministry of Labour website, below are some duties that apply to vehicle/mobile equipment and visibility hazards:
Employers
• Ensure workers are provided with information, training and supervision to protect their health and safety. This may include training vehicle operators on a workplace’s rules for safe operation of vehicles, including adherence to speed limits, stopping at intersections, and hand and horn signals.
• Ensure equipment and protective devices are maintained in good condition. This also includes not tampering with any safety features of the equipment.
• Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers. This may include developing a traffic management program to protect vehicle operators and nearby workers, or other controls such as those mentioned below.
• Use barriers, warning signs or other safeguards for the protection of all workers in areas where vehicle or pedestrian traffic may endanger the safety of any worker.
• Use competent signallers when required and ensure they are stationed in the correct position.
• Ensure lifting devices and mobile equipment are operated only by competent persons or by a worker who is being instructed and accompanied by a competent person.
• Ensure artificial lighting is provided if there is inadequate natural lighting, and that shadows and glare are reduced to a minimum.
• Ensure mobile equipment has head lights and tail lights to provide adequate illumination when lighting conditions are poor.
• Ensure unattended vehicles are immobilized and secured against accidental movement.
Supervisors
• Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers.
• Ensure workers comply with the OHSA and Regulation for Industrial Establishments, including ensuring workers use any equipment, protective devices or clothing required by the employer.
• Advise workers of the existence of any potential or actual hazards of which the supervisor is aware. This may include traffic hazards.
Workers
• Report any traffic-related hazards, as well as any contraventions, to your supervisor or employer.
• Work in compliance with the OHSA and Regulations for Industrial Establishments.
• Use or wear the personal protective equipment that your employer requires to be used or worn.
• Do not use or operate equipment or machines or work in a manner that may endanger yourself or any other worker.